HF with accessible language

[Mokha]

Hello! I’m new here - but hope I’m in the right place for great recommendations! I had a browse through some responses but didn’t find anything that really answered what I’m looking for!

I just wrapped up “The Last Hours” and “The Turn of Midnight” by Minette Walters. I really enjoyed her phrasing and use of language, and I’ve found in the past I’ve sought similar styles in my HF; that is - not flouncy, pretentious or contrived. To give you an idea of the style I just can’t deal with is that used by Karen Maitland in “Company of Liars.”

Does anyone have recommendations for HF that has a low-key, non-flowery language vibe? It doesn’t have to be “light” HF, I just don’t want to have my suspension of disbelief broken by flowery turns of phrase that make the entire scene unbelievable.

I prefer to avoid HF dealing with either of the World Wars, Cold War, Henry VIII/his wives, Elizabethan, or really anything that focus’ on a King/Queen/Noble. I like HF that deals with historic events, as seen through/experienced by fictional characters.

I know it’s an ASK, so I truly appreciate anything you have to throw at me! It’s summer reading time and I’m coming up empty!!

Thank you!!!!

[〰️Beth〰️]

Off the top of my head I think of Ariana Franklin’s Mistress of the Art of Death series and Candace Robb’s Owen Arching series that starts with The Apothecary Rose. Owen is a agent of the crown so the church and royalty do play a roll in the story.

[Joanne]

I suggest The Revenant and Ridgeline, read them back to back and loved them both-I hated Company of Liars too, so I think we are on the same page ;). Going to check my shelves and see what else I can recommend for you

[Joanne]

Ok Mokha, here are a few others you might check out:

Have you ever read any Isabel Allende ? Her latest A Long Petal of the Sea was really good. Although it begins in Spain during the Civil war there, the story moves to South America very quickly and the war is left behind.

The House at the Edge of Night
Chronicle of a Last Summer: A Novel of Egypt
Cutting for Stone

Allende's Zorro is all very good

Hope one of these catches your eye

[Mokha]

Oh my gosh thanks guys!! I think I just found my happy book place on the internet!! I adored mistress of the art of death. **so amazingly good**!! I’m going to order the ones suggested and see which hits the spot! Thank youuuu!

[〰️Beth〰️]

Mokha wrote: "Oh my gosh thanks guys!! I think I just found my happy book place on the internet!! I adored mistress of the art of death. **so amazingly good**!! I’m going to order the ones suggested and see whic..."

Hope something is to your liking, I also thought of David Liss, The Coffee Trader and A Conspiracy of Paper, Conspiracy is the first in a series.

You might also like The Scribe by Antonio Garrido

[Joanne]

Mokha, be sure to let us know what you are reading! Enjoy